Terra [PA]

Performer: Mariza
Artist: Ivan Lins
Producer: Javier Limon
Distributor: Fusion 3 Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Concha Buika, Tito Paris (vocals); Bernardo Couto (guitar); Diogo Clemente (acoustic guitar, fado); Dominic Miller (acoustic guitar); Javier Lim�n (flamenco guitar); Melissa Nanni (recorder); Carlos Sarduy (trumpet); Ivan "Melon" Lewis, Chucho Miller (piano); Marino De Freitas (acoustic bass); Dany Noel (double bass); Pirana (percussion). Audio Mixer: Oscar Clavel. Terra feels like an attempt to move Mariza into the musical mainstream. She's already established herself at the forefront of fado, as one of the leading performers of the emotive Portuguese style, and there's no doubt she possesses a wonderful voice. But the addition of several guests, such as Chucho Vald�s, Ivan Lins, and Tito Paris (among others) seems to open up the seams between fado and other genres, including Brazilian music and jazz. It does so relatively subtly, and she keeps her base pretty firmly in fado (witness the glorious "Ja Me Deixou"). But the inclusion of a standard like "Smile," which closes the album and has her singing in English, is evidence of the move to broaden her appeal, as is the lushness of the arrangements, much fuller than she's used in the studio in the past. Her duet with Paris on "Beijo de Saudade" is a highlight, and the voices play off each other gloriously, hers pure and clear, his gruff and harsh. Ultimately, the question is whether it all works, and it does, because it doesn't try to do too much, just a small re-positioning, although what the future will bring remains to be seen. ~ Chris Nickson

Rolling Stone (p.78) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Her latest sets her majestic, unbowed alto over traditional floor-pacing rhythms, alongside the shivering timbres of Portugese guitar and jazz-blue piano." Billboard (p.34) - "'Ja Me Deixou' and 'Rosa Branca' are straight from the traditional canon and performed here with bravura..."

Fado singer Mariza dos Reis Nunes (known simply by her first name), was born in Mozambique, but grew up in Portugal, where she learned the fado tradition. Her 2001 debut album, FADO EM MIM, was a success in Portugal. Her fame soon spread worldwide--she sang a duet with Sting at the 2004 Olympics, performed at Live 8 the following year, and toured the world. Mariza has also been honored with two Latin Grammy nominations for Best Folk Album.

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